TO THE DUKE OF ORMOND.*

MY LORD,

July 17, 1714.

I NEVER expected that a great man should remember me in absence, because I knew it was unreasonable, and that your grace is too much troubled with persons about you, to think of those who are out of the way. But, if Dr Pratt has done me right, I am mistaken; and your grace has almost declared that you expected a letter from me; which you should never have had, if the ministry had been like you for then I should have always been near enough to havé carried my own messages. But I was heartily weary of them: and your grace will be my witness, that I despaired of any good success, from their manner of proceeding, some months before I left town; where I thought it became me to continue no longer, when I could do no service either to myself, my friends, or the public. By the accounts I have from particular friends, I find the animosity between the two great men does not at all diminish: though I hear it is given out that your grace's successor † has undertaken a general reconcilement. If it be true, this will succeed like the rest of his late undertakings.

I must beg your grace's pardon, if I entreat you for several reasons, to see Lady Masham as often as you conveniently can: and I must likewise desire

*The Duke of Ormond was lord-lieutenant of Ireland in 1710. He succeeded the Duke of Marlborough in the command of the army; and his Duchess was lady of the bed-chamber....

H

The Duke of Shrewsbury....D. S.

you to exert yourself in the disposal of the bishopricks in Ireland. It is a scandal to the crown, and an injury to the church, that they should be so long delayed. There are some hot-headed people on the other side the water, who understand nothing of our court, and would confound every thing; always employed to raise themselves upon the ruins of those characters they have blasted. I wish their intermeddling may not occasion a worse choice than your grace approved of last winter. However, I beg you will take care that no injury be done to Dr Pratt, or Dr Elwood, * who have more merit and candour than a hundred of their detractors. I am, with the greatest respect, my lord,

Your grace's most obedient,

and most obliged humble servant, JON. SWIFT.

FROM CHARLES FORD, ESQ.

London, July 20, 1714.

WHO would ever do any thing for them, when they are so negligent of their own interest? The captain must see what use it would be to him to have it published, and yet he has not returned it. †

*Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin.-F.

+ Still alluding to the "Free Thoughts," the manuscript of which was, it seems, yet in the hands of Bolingbroke, or of Barber, instead of being returned to the fictitious address with which the latter had been furnished.

You have another copy by you: I wish you would send it; and if you do not care it should appear in your own hand, I will get it transcribed. My secretary is a boy of ten or eleven years old, and no discovery can be made by him. I do not know what my Lord Bolingbroke may do, but I dare say Barber does not suspect from whence it comes. However, I wonder he has not mentioned it to you.

I thought you had heard the historiographer's place had been disposed of this fortnight. I know no more of him who has it, than that his name is Madox. * It would be impudence in them to send for you; but I hope you will come. A reconcilement is impossible; and I can guess no reason why matters are delayed, unless it be to gain over some lords, who stick firm to the dragon, and others that are averse to the captain.† The Duke of Shrewsbury declares against him in private conversation; I suppose because he is against every chief minister, for it is known he has no kindness for the colonel. ‡ Lord Anglesey rails at the chancellor, for some opinion the attorney and solicitor-general have given relating to Ireland. Who can act, when they have so much caprice to deal with?

Mr Lewis says, "he will speak to Mr Bromley for his part, and will engage it shall be paid as soon as Lord Bolingbroke has given his." But it was mentioned before my lord-treasurer, and he immediately took the whole upon himself. If they lived near one another, and a house between them was on fire, I fancy they would contend who should put it

* Thomas Madox, Esq.-H. Lord Oxford.-H.

+ Lord Bolingbroke.-H.

out, until the whole street were burned. Mr Lewis goes into Wales the week after next. I shall have the whole town to myself. Now it is my own, I begin not to value it. Pope and Parnell tell me, you design them a visit. When do you go? If you are with them in the middle of a week, I should be glad to meet you there. Let me know where you are to be in Herefordshire, and I will send you some claret. It is no compliment, for I am overstocked, and it will decay before I drink it. You shall have either old or new; I have too much of both.

I paid the woman for your handkerchiefs; but should not have given her so much, if she had not assured me you had agreed with her. I think you may very well shake off the old debt, and she will have no reason to complain. So I told her; but if you would have me, I will pay her.

Pray send me the other copy*, or put me in a way of recovering the former. I am, &c.

FROM THE DUKE OF ORMOND.

SIR,

July 22, 1714.

I AM very glad to hear from you. I thought you had hid yourself from the world, and given over all thoughts of your friends. I am very sorry for the reason of your retirement. I am a witness to your endeavours to have made up, what I believe the

Of the "Free Thoughts."-H.

*

great man you mention will hardly compass. I am of your opinion, that it is shameful that the vacant bishopricks are not disposed of. I shall do all that lies in my power, to serve the gentlemen that I have already mentioned to the queen, and hope with good success.

For the lady you mention, † I shall endeavour to see her as often as I can. She is one that I have a great esteem for. I send you some Burgundy, which I hope you will like. It is very good to cure the spleen. Believe me, with great truth, Sir, your most affectionate friend and humble servant, ORMOND.

FROM ERASMUS LEWIS, ESQ.

SIR,

Whitehall, July 22, 1714.

I RECEIVED a letter from you last Monday, for my lord-treasurer, in a blank cover. Last Friday lord-chancellor went into the country, with a design to stay there till the tenth of August; but last Tuesday he was sent for express by Lord Bolingbroke. Next Tuesday the queen goes to Windsor. What changes we are to have, will probably appear before she goes. Dr Arbuthnot dines with me to-day, and in the evening we go to Kensington.

* The Duke of Shrewsbury. + Lady Masham...-D. S.